Enjoy the Netherlands and Germany

This tour takes you through the Dutch-German border area between Haaksbergen and Vreden. You cycle through Twente, the Achterhoek and through the German Münsterland. There are no large cities or villages on this route: an ideal route if you are looking for peace, quiet and vast nature. You cycle through the Krosewicker Grenzwald, a cross-border nature reserve, most of which is located in Germany. In the middle is a wet heathland area and a fen with vulnerable flora and fauna. In the Lüntener Wald you can hear many frogs croaking near the lakes. After a visit to the German villages of Lünten and Altstätte you drive into the raised bog area of Twente. Het Witte Veen is a beautiful heath and forest area that is rich in fields of the vulnerable bell gentian and cotton grass. It used to be a popular border crossing for smugglers, but nowadays Scottish Highlanders graze here at dusk. The Haaksbergerveen is a raised bog area of approximately 500 hectares. This area is on the list of protected areas. When you cycle through it, you will understand why. You will see beautiful white and purple seas of sundew and bell gentian. The moist soil in the area attracts many dragonflies and amphibians. An ideal place to take a break on a (picnic) bench and take in the natural beauty. In the area surrounding the village of Rekken you will see several monumental farms from the nineteenth century. You will also cycle past the Piepermolen, a windmill from 1796. The mill has nothing to do with potatoes, but takes its name from the family that owned it between 1907 and 1965. The Piepermolen has a special shape: the bottom two meters is cylindrical, after which the slope towards the top is constructed in a highly tapered conical manner. This route starts and ends in Hotel Restaurant Kloppendiek in Zwillbrock, a village just across the Dutch border in Germany. Here you can enjoy typical Westphalian hospitality and cooking in a quiet environment. The entire range of pastries and bread comes from our own bakery. The apple pie and gooseberry baisse are highly recommended: they are made according to a traditional family recipe. The restaurant is a wonderful place to dine after a beautiful day of cycling. How relaxing is it to no longer have to take the car after an aperitif, but to settle down in a comfortable hotel bed? Especially if a nice bike ride awaits the next day, because you can also cycle route 162606 from this hotel.